The Mission of the Church of the Nazarene:

To Make Christlike Disciples in The Nations

New England Ministers’ News

Inside This Issue:

Pastors & Spouses Renewal

2-3

District Notes 4

Joint Meeting Announced

4

NMI 5

Windsor Hills Camp

6

District Chaplaincy

6

Mission Strategy 7

Read the Word! 7

District Calendar 8

Volume 16, Issue 12

New England District New England District New England District New England District

Church of the NazareneChurch of the NazareneChurch of the NazareneChurch of the Nazarene

December 2007

Never Too Busy!Never Too Busy!Never Too Busy!Never Too Busy!

GGGGreetings my brothers & sisters in HIS PRECIOUS HOLY NAME! I trust that as we go into one of the busiest time of the church year, that of Thanks-giving and the Advent Season, you are experiencing a “refreshed newness” in your relationship with our Lord and Savior! Recently, I met with one of my mentees, and as we were talking, she shared with me about her new job, her new responsibilities, and how great it was to be in community with people. She filled the air with a report on all of her wonderful activities. After a period of time, I asked the question, “have you been in your Word?” and she responded that she has been “too busy.” Recently, I came to a traffic jam and I thought that there was a car accident ahead of me… It was people trying to get into the Christmas tree shop...... peo-ple busy going about their shopping and people going about their lives and try-ing to do so many things.... As I talked with my friend, I asked her how was her relationship with her Jesus. She looked at me and said, “It was not as good as it has been in the past.” I asked her why she thought that it was not so good. She looked down and responded that she had been too busy with other things and did not carve out some special time with HIM! My sisters and brothers, we must not allow our Word and our prayer time with our Heavenly Father be considered an interruption! We must never become too busy not to pray! We must never become too busy not to stay in our Word! In order for us to have a daily renewed sense of spirit, we must daily go to the well of salvation that is available anytime day or night. We do not have to take a number or stand in a line! He is never too busy for you and me! I am reminded of the book of Daniel in Chapter 10:12: “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard and I have come in response to them.” Daniel was never too busy even when he faced all of those lions! God heard him and He hears you and me! We must never be too busy to seek Him in Word and prayer! Have a great day in the Lord! Have a great and wonderful season in HIM! Blessings, Jossie

The Mission of the Church of the Nazarene:

To Make Christlike Disciples in The Nations

Page 2 Volume 16, Issue 12

On October 26-28, Nazarene pas-tors from across the New England District gathered for a weekend of renewal at the Bedford Glen Hotel. We asked several of the pastors to comment on their experience at the renewal. Enjoy both photos and comments.

Why is attending the Pastors & Spouses Renewal important to you? First of all it is a place where you get to get away from the normal hustle and bustle of life. This event affords us the opportunity to relax with God, relax through fellowship with one another, and to just per-sonally relax. Another privilege is to relax and explore with the recourses from authors who provide analysis, concepts, and theological helps that are written to provide us with prac-tical tools for the ministry. Yet the greatest and foremost feature for

Pastors and Spouses RenewalPastors and Spouses RenewalPastors and Spouses RenewalPastors and Spouses Renewal

me as a pastor of this event is found in the title itself “Spouses.” (J.R. Chavier) It is a welcomed opportunity for renewal with my wife. Oftentimes my duties require our separation - this is not the case at renewal/ re-treat - for this we get a much

needed opportunity for min-istry time together. Secondly, it is a very treas-ured opportunity for both my spouse and me to make connections with other dis-trict couples and individu-als. Oftentimes I meet a few of our pastors, but this is a venue where both my wife and I can meet many other pastoral couples more

closely. (Though I am new to this district - I am not sure of other venues where this opportunity is possible - that is for my wife to meet our district team (including spouses) on such a deep personal level.)

Thirdly, I believe Renewal to be important for our churches. Just as it is important for my children to see their parents taking in-tentional time away for relation-ship development ("dating"), so it is for a congregation to iden-tify the shepherd taking inten-tional time away to nurture the marriage and spiritual relation-ships of the pastor and spouse. Though in our situation such a

time could be maneuvered on our own - and somewhere else, the real educational piece in all of this is that we are telling our faith family that the best place to nurture that relationship (between my wife and me) is not off in isolation some-where - but with other believers and partners in ministry. Such teach-able moments for our congregation are invaluable! (John Megyesi) Time with my wife and time with my colleagues in a relaxed setting, away from the pressures of minis-try is important to me. (David Shaw) When we first became Christians, we needed to be around like-minded people. In the same way, the pastors and wives retreat was important for us as new pastors because we needed to be with like-minded pastors. It was a time to refresh and to see other pastors draw from the same well. (Stoner Smith)

(cont. on page 3)

Page 3 Volume 16, Issue 12

I want to be a part of the NED "team" and this is one way of doing that. (John White)

What is your favorite part of the weekend? I go away energized through the thought-provoking insights of those who share the bread from their heart to ours for the hour. (J.R. Chavier) Worship - so often I am in charge of a worship event...Here I am able to be a fellow worshipper...and ac-tually get to sit next to my wife for the event! (John Megyesi) My favorite part was that the three speakers spoke from life experience in ministry. They weren't just an-other sermon. (Stoner Smith) Any special memories? The luncheon with the new pastors and spouses is an anointed time with fellowship and praise. (J.R. Chavier)

Pastors and Spouses (cont.)Pastors and Spouses (cont.)Pastors and Spouses (cont.)Pastors and Spouses (cont.)

The sharing of stories ("The story of why we were here/ or how we got here") from those who were new to the district was wonderful! (John Megyesi) Watching the Red Sox together was a lot of fun! (David Shaw) One highlight for me was the touching moment when John White introduced his uncle and how Jossie accepts new pastors on the district and how she displays equality at the cross. As brand new pastors on the district we felt totally accepted. My wife feels that the best part of the weekend was that she and I could be together without any interruptions. (Stoner Smith) Red Sox game Saturday night! (John White)

Would you recommend that other pastors/spouses attend? Yes. (J.R. Chavier) Absolutely! And I would encour-age our smaller churches to work intentionally to assist their pastors in paying their way. I believe so much so in this event, that I would be willing to sponsor another pas-toral couple whose congregation is not able to pay for them to go. (John Megyesi)

Other comments? I was a little concerned this time around by the tendency we minis-ters have when we are together to talk about the laypeople of our church as if they are the enemy or the problem. This "us/them" lan-guage is counterproductive for the building of the kingdom. I know that it's natural to commiserate when we're together about the things that cause us stress but per-haps we need to consciously avoid promoting this kind of tendency at Pastor & Spouses Retreat. I would also like to see a bit more structure provided for the informal times to-gether. I'm not

(cont. on page 5)

Page 4 Volume 16, Issue 12

Lakeview Church Baptism The Lakeview Church of the Naza-rene held a baptism service on Au-gust 12, 2007. Pastor Tom Heim notes “We were truly blessed by God.”

Keene Church Progress Report Pastor John Reilly reports: “The building is coming along great. The progress is exciting. Monday morning at 7:00 a.m. the crane op-erator held a safety meeting and told safety stories. Then I prayed for the safety of all the workers. “God has answered prayer and so far there have been no accidents or injuries.

District Notes and NewsDistrict Notes and NewsDistrict Notes and NewsDistrict Notes and News

“The framing crew is an awesome group of guys including a bi-vocational pastor of a church plant in Keene.”

Danvers Church Holds Harvest Party 2007 Planned by a committee led by Brenda DiRusso, the Danvers Church of the Nazarene held a suc-cessful Harvest Party for the chil-dren and families.

Open Churches Please pray for the following churches that are currently without pastors: Malden First, Saugus, Fitchburg, Hooksett, Haverhill,

Burlington, St. Albans, East Charleston, and Quincy Chinese Church. Additional Prayer Requests Bill Dyment and family Dave Lafevor in Iraq Teens in the church Pray for more 20 -30 year olds in the church

Pray for all churches in transition Pray for the next movement of God which is just around the cor-ner!!! All the Churches on the Best dis-trict in the whole wide world

Advisory Board Members All District officers of the best dis-trict in the whole wide World

Pastors and families Missionaries around the world Our colleges and students President of the United States All Government officials Soldiers everywhere in the world protecting us!!!!!!

Please note the following calen-dar change: The Annual Trustees Meeting of Reynolds Institute will be held on Friday, April 11, 2008, at Commu-nity Chapel in Nashua, NH. This will be a combined meeting with the Ministerial Credentials and Min-isterial Studies Boards. There will be an abbreviated Trus-

Joint Meeting of Reynolds Institute Trustees, Ministerial Credentials, and Ministerial Studies Joint Meeting of Reynolds Institute Trustees, Ministerial Credentials, and Ministerial Studies Joint Meeting of Reynolds Institute Trustees, Ministerial Credentials, and Ministerial Studies Joint Meeting of Reynolds Institute Trustees, Ministerial Credentials, and Ministerial Studies

tees meeting with the members of the two Boards as observers. The purpose of the meeting is to en-hance communication and spend time in evaluating and enhancing the tasks involved in preparing indi-viduals for credentialed ministry in the Church. A draft agenda is be-ing worked on and will be distrib-uted to the members of the Boards to give an opportunity for sugges-

tions, for additional subjects, or clarification. If you have any thoughts and ideas that you would like to contribute to the develop-ment of the agenda please send them to Larry Ogden at: laog-den@juno.com. May Thanksgiving be rich in grati-tude and Advent be a celebration of grace. -- Larry Ogden

This Could Be Your Church Photo!

Email your church photo and story to Melissa Andrew at:

MelissaAndrew@comcast.net

Page 5 Volume 16, Issue 12

CCCChristmas GGGGreetings! May the Christ of the Cradle and the Cross fill you with His amazing

grace this Christmas! December Focus: Compassion-ate Ministries - Transforming lives through the love of Jesus I am sure you are all well aware of the recent disasters that have af-fected our world – earthquakes, fires, hurricanes, drought, etc. When disaster strikes I am thankful to be a part of a church that re-sponds with compassionate action. Because of the Church of the Naza-rene’s commitment to compassion and the generosity of Nazarenes worldwide we are there to help in times of need. NCM will continue to minister to people’s spiritual and physical needs in the name of Jesus Christ as we give to NCM.

Nazarene Missions InternationalNazarene Missions InternationalNazarene Missions InternationalNazarene Missions International

Some of the present needs are for Christmas Child Sponsorship and also Crisis Care Kits for disaster areas which are desperately needed. NCM has been contacting each church. If you have any questions about Compassionate Ministries emphasis, please contact Lindi Wells at 877-626-4146 or lwells@nazarene.org. Another way you can show com-passion is to shower one of our bi-vocational pastors and family with a surprise Christmas basket during the holiday season. Pray for our Missionaries: At a church service, have everyone sign a greeting card for a missionary. Have a special prayer for that mis-sionary and then send the card to the missionary, telling them you have prayed for them. D.L. Moody wrote on prayer: “Every great movement of God

can be traced to a kneeling person.” Looking Ahead…January empha-sis is Mission Corps (Volunteer Ministries) month. There are opportunities for Work and Witness at home. Contact Richard and Ruth Jarvis at rrjarv@comcast.net. There are op-portunities for Work and Witness out of the country. Contact Frank Turner at RTU1750553@aol.com.

saying to force people to do stuff during free time but provide some activities that people could partici-pate in together if they don't want to make their own plans. Face it, we need help fellowshipping. (David Shaw)

Pastors and Spouses (cont.)Pastors and Spouses (cont.)Pastors and Spouses (cont.)Pastors and Spouses (cont.)

I do not look forward to the retreat now that it has gone to Friday night thru Sunday. I believe it was changed to the weekend to bring in more of the bi-vocational pas-tors...it does not appear to have made a significant difference. (John White)

To view more retreat photos, go to the district website:

www.nednaz.org.

Gerry PerryGerry PerryGerry PerryGerry Perry

District Missions District Missions District Missions District Missions

PresidentPresidentPresidentPresident

Page 6 Volume 16, Issue 12

Now is the Time to Plan!! Winter Retreats are spectacular at Windsor Hills! Accommodations vary and we can put together a package that fits right in your group’s budget. We have a new home on-line that is perfect for church board retreats or other small group retreats. Call us so we can help you plan for your next church or small group retreat!

Work and Witness at Windsor Hills Spring will be here before you know it! There are lots of projects

Windsor Hills Camp and Retreat CenterWindsor Hills Camp and Retreat CenterWindsor Hills Camp and Retreat CenterWindsor Hills Camp and Retreat Center

your group can do at the camp, and it has never been easier to plan a working retreat. Your group will benefit from being involved in ser-vice to others; it is a great way to grow together. Planning is the key to success in this area. Call us to get project ideas and date opportu-nities. Invite Windsor Hills to Your Church! We’d love to come and make a camp presentation at your local church. It doesn’t cost you any-thing to have us come, and you can use us as much or as little as you like. We’d love the opportunity to thank your people for their support of the camp and bring them up to date on improve-ments and pro-gram.

Contact Information: Dan Whitney Pastor, Community Christian Fel-lowship

Executive Director, Windsor Hills Camp and Retreat Center

183 Hillside Drive Henniker, NH 03242 603-428-8219 - Home Office 603-478-3363 - WHC Facility Of-fice

603-478-3373 - WHC Facility Fax Danwhitney@whcamp.org Dandewhit1@comcast.net

Dan WhitneyDan WhitneyDan WhitneyDan Whitney

Windsor Hills Camp Windsor Hills Camp Windsor Hills Camp Windsor Hills Camp

Educational Opportunity! Please mark you calendar for August 8th and 9th. The Chaplaincy Depart-ment of the N.E.D. in conjunction with Nazarene Compassionate Min-istries is bringing to Eastern Naza-rene College Campus Field Trau-matology Training. This training

will help us be ready for any major disaster that may hap-pen in our communities. Nazarenes need to be ready to re-spond to any human need as Christ did. We

District ChaplaincyDistrict ChaplaincyDistrict ChaplaincyDistrict Chaplaincy

live in an area that has hurricanes, winter blizzards, and we never know where terrorists will strike. Field Traumatology Training is a certified two-day program that we schedule over a Friday and Satur-day, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Those who attend receive 15 contact hours for Psychologists, LMFTs, LBPs, LPCs and LCSWs, and 1.5 CCEs for chaplains. These CEUs will be obtained through the Okla-homa Department of Health and may be accepted by other states. Dates: August 8 & 9, 2008 Place: Eastern Nazarene Campus Cost: $93.10 – This covers the

two-day program, one overnight in Young Apartments, lunch and sup-per at the cafeteria on Friday the 8th and breakfast and lunch on Satur-day the 9th. We must have at least 25 people signed up in order to get this price. Pastors, please put this information in your bulletins so that people from your churches might take ad-vantage of this opportunity. I know that August is a long time from now but we want people to be able to plan for these dates. Sign Up: By calling Chaplain Sally Miller at 508-540-6531 or 508-331-8250 or email: smiller@capecodhealth.org.

Sally MillerSally MillerSally MillerSally Miller

District Chaplaincy District Chaplaincy District Chaplaincy District Chaplaincy

DirectorDirectorDirectorDirector

Page 7 Volume 16, Issue 12

Did you get to see Jonathan Papel-bon dance? Can you believe that a man who looks that mean on the mound can look that happy after the game? I think we all know - that's healthy! Can you be really serious about your call and still be able to celebrate? Thanksgiving and Christmas are great times to celebrate. Let's do our best to cele-brate Jesus and avoid the busyness of the season.

Advent is designed for us to wait on the Lord and reflect so here are my reflection questions?

1 - Have you chosen to secure and read the book "Emotionally

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!

Healthy Spirituality?" If yes, who will you discuss it with so you will be lovingly challenged?

2 - Can you say with genuine hon-est, "I'm a healthy pastor right now?" If yes - who are you seeking to invest in for their health and if no, what steps are you taking to gain health?

3 - Are you progressing on your answer to the question, "How will I/we (this local church) win and disciple our next ten people for Jesus?" Have you raised this ques-tion with your church board? What is spurring you on or holding you back?

Let's remember Dr. Owen's re-minder to us from II Chronicles 20:15, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."

Go forward by His grace and in His power --- for His glory.

Kim

If you didn’t accept the challenge in 2007, make 2008 your year to read the Bible in 90 days. The readings for the first 44 days are listed below. Be blessed! Day Scripture Reference 1 Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 15:4 2 Genesis 15:5 to Genesis 27:37 3 Genesis 27:38 to Genesis 38:30 4 Genesis 39:1 to Genesis 50:26 5 Exodus 1:1 to Exodus 14:24 6 Exodus 14:25 to Exodus 28:15 7 Exodus 28:16 to Exodus 40:21 8 Exodus 40:22 to Leviticus 14:7 9 Leviticus 14:8 to Leviticus 25:47 10 Leviticus 25:48 to Numbers 7:74 11 Numbers 7:75 to Numbers 20:12 12 Numbers 20:13 to Numbers

31:37 13 Numbers 31:38 to Deuteronomy

6:24 14 Deuteronomy 6:25 to Deuteron-

omy 22:10 15 Deuteronomy 22:11 to Deuteron-

omy 33:23

Read the Word in 90 Days!Read the Word in 90 Days!Read the Word in 90 Days!Read the Word in 90 Days!

16 Deuteronomy 33:24 to Joshua 13:22

17 Joshua 13:23 to Judges 2:18 18 Judges 2:19 to Judges 14:9 19 Judges 14:10 to 1 Samuel 2:7 20 1 Samuel 2:8 to 1 Samuel 15:14 21 1 Samuel 15:15 to 1 Samuel 27:4 22 1 Samuel 27:5 to 2 Samuel 11:9 23 2 Samuel 11:10 to 2 Samuel

22:13 24 2 Samuel 22:14 to 1 Kings 7:12

25 1 Kings 7:13 to 1 Kings 15:32 26 1 Kings 15:33 to 2 Kings 4:6 27 2 Kings 4:7 to 2 Kings 14:29 28 2 Kings 15:1 to 2 Kings 25:21 29 2 Kings 25:22 to 1 Chronicles

9:14 30 1 Chronicles 9:15 to 1 Chronicles

23:11 31 1 Chronicles 23:12 to 2 Chroni-

cles 6:36 32 2 Chronicles 6:37 to 2 Chronicles

22:6 33 2 Chronicles 22:7 to 2 Chronicles

34:26 34 2 Chronicles 34:27 to Ezra 10:44 35 Nehemiah 1:1 to Nehemiah 12:36 36 Nehemiah 12:37 to Job 6:15 37 Job 6:16 to Job 23:17 38 Job 24:1 to Job 40:18 39 Job 40:19 to Psalm 22:27 40 Psalm 22:28 to Psalm 44:11 41 Psalm 44:12 to Psalm 68:27 42 Psalm 68:28 to Psalm 88:1 43 Psalm 88:2 to Psalm 107:17 44 Psalm 107:18 to Psalm 131:3 ____________ From the Bible in 90 Days Website

Kim RichardsonKim RichardsonKim RichardsonKim Richardson

Mission Mission Mission Mission

Strategy Strategy Strategy Strategy

CoordinatorCoordinatorCoordinatorCoordinator

Send your church’s news to: mbandrew@verizon.net

New England Ministers’ News

New England District

Church of the Nazarene

Jossie Owens District Superintendent

Vincent Crouse

Assistant District Superintendent

162 Old Colony Avenue Quincy, MA 02170-0513

PO Box 690513

Quincy, MA 02169-0513

Phone: 617-786-9496 Fax: 617-786-9574

E-mail: vcrouse@nednaz.org

NMI Emphasis - Compassionate Ministries & Prayer

1 Crisis Care Kits and School Pal Packs are Due

4-5 NYI Quiz Meet

7 District Ministerial Credentials Committee – Nashua

25 MERRY CHRISTMAS!MERRY CHRISTMAS!MERRY CHRISTMAS!MERRY CHRISTMAS!

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14a

New England District Calendar New England District Calendar New England District Calendar New England District Calendar ---- December 2007 December 2007 December 2007 December 2007

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